British Comedy Guide

Very Special Forces.

Hi all.

I'm quite new to all of this, not done much sketch writing so I would be very grateful for any feedback on the following:

SCENE 1. INT.OFFICE

A TALL MAN WEARING ARMY OFFICERS UNIFORM SITS AT A DESK READING A FILE WHEN THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

T:
Come.

A MAN IN ARMY COMBATS ENTERS.

T:
Ah Jenkins, glad you could make it. Please have a seat.

JENKINS:
Thank you sir.

JENKINS SITS.
(PAUSE) T. CONTINUES TO READ THE FILE.

T:
Impressive Jenkins. From the evidence in this file and from third party reports I believe that you single-handed managed to put the largest suicide bomber training camp in Europe out of action.

JENKINS:
Yes sir.

T:
THUMPS DESK WITH HIS FIST
Tremendous work Jenkins. This will severely limit terrorism in Western Europe. I am putting you forward for a commendation.

JENKINS:
Thank you sir.

T:
FILLING IN A FORM
How long have you been with the SAS now?

JENKINS:
Six months sir.

T:
What is your specialisation?

JENKINS:
Health and Safety sir.

T:
Health and safety?

JENKINS:
Yes sir Health and safety.

T:
Jenkins, what exactly did you do to shut down the training camp?

JENKINS:
Full Health and Safety audit sir. They weren’t expecting that.

T:
You managed to discover and infiltrate a highly secretive organisation and locate their centre of operations in the UK, then you performed a Health and Safety audit then left without a shot being fired?

JENKINS:
Of course not sir.

T:
Thank God for that, explain.

JENKINS:
They were issuing live ammunition to uncredited, uncertificated personnel, a negligent discharge was inevitable. It’s item four in the action plan.

T:
Action Plan? What the hell are you on about man?

JENKINS:
It’s in the report sir. All terrorist activities must be suspended until their Health and Safety officer has complied with my twelve point action plan.

T:
Al Qaeda have a Health and Safety officer?

JENKINS:
Of course, it makes sense sir they are working in a dangerous environment someone could get hurt or even killed.

T:
They're bloody suicide bombers for heavens sake man, they are supposed to get killed and take out as many innocents as they can with them in the process.

JENKINS:
Not any more sir. Item seven on my action plan requires that all suicide bombers perform a full risk assessment prior to detonation which includes establishing a clearly defined blast cordon and a five minute warning Klaxon.

T:
And they just accepted this?

JENKINS:
Well (laughs) Mahmoud wasn’t very happy at first, but he sees sense now.

T:
Mahmoud? Am I to understand that you are first name terms with terrorists?

JENKINS:
No sir just Mahmoud. We were on the same H & S training course, how do you think I infiltrated their camp?

T:
He just gave you directions and let you in?

JENKINS:
Not exactly sir. I needed to perform a full audit to complete my Health and Safety accreditation. We made a deal.

T:
Which was?

JENKINS:
Mahmoud needs to complete one too sir.

THE DOOR OPENS AND A TERRORIST TYPE ENTERS.

MAHMOUD:
Morning gentlemens please continue as if I’m not here.

END OF SKETCH

Fantastic idea, and neatly handled. You have found a clever way out of the sketch, but the punch might benefit from being a bit cruder. I am not sure what you mean by a 'terrorist type', whereas 'man in suicide bomb vest', would be quite clear to the audience and avoid any awkward questions around racial stereotyping.

Hope to see some more of your stuff.

Excellent skit, good character, pace, strong idea, but Timbo's right punch is a little to neat.

Question:Why do so many sketches have a character called 'Jenkins'?

I think it is the 'kins' ending, indicating little, which subconciously sets up the the boss/employee relationship. Perkins used to be used a lot, but has become a cliche.

Don't know, personally I tend to use Repeterson but decided not too, maybe subliminal messaging from somewhere.

Hard consonants are funny.

Or perhaps Watkins, Jenkins etc sit well in quintessential English sitcoms and dramas, no?

Nice traditional bit of writing. Really enjoyed it. Love the title

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